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Optional Practical Training

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment that is directly related to your field of studies and commensurate with your level of studies.

Further, post completion OPT may include volunteer activity of at least 20 hours weekly that is directly related to your field of studies and commensurate with your degree level.

OPT may be authorized in the following situations:

Pre-completion (OPT prior to program completion)

  • on a part-time basis only, during the academic year while engaged in coursework
  • on a part-time or full-time basis, during the holiday period
  • on a part-time or full-time basis, while working on a master's thesis / project or doctoral dissertation following completion of all coursework.

Post-completion (OPT after you finish your studies)

  • on a full-time basis only, once all degree requirements have been fulfilled.

You are granted a maximum of 12 months of OPT. OPT can be used on a pre-completion and/or post-completion basis, as long as the total amount used does not exceed 12 months. You must also meet certain eligibility criteria as indicated to the right. Note that part-time pre-completion OPT counts at a rate of 50% toward full-time OPT. For example, 2 months of part-time pre-completion OPT is equivalent to 1 month of full-time OPT.

Students in designated fields within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) may be eligible for an additional 17 months of OPT.

Procedure to Apply

(1) Watch the relevant mandatory workshop: pre-completion OPT workshop if applying for pre OR the post-completion OPT workshop if applying for post. Please note, if you have not viewed the mandatory workshop, you will not be able to submit your OPT application.

(2) Download an OGS F-1 OPT Recommendation Form. Complete the form and have it signed by your academic advisor, dean, department chair or program coordinator. For help on completing the form, see the OPT Recommendation Form explained. Your department must endorse your request for OPT by signing and completing the form; confirming:

  • That you are in good academic standing and are making satisfactory progress toward degree completion
  • The anticipated date you will complete all of your degree requirements
  • That the proposed employment is or will be related to your field of study

(3) Gather the following documents:

  • Your passport, I-94 card, and original I-20(s)
  • A check or money order for $380 made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If paying by check, be sure that your name and address are pre-printed on it.
  • A completed Form I-765 signed in blue ink (for help on completion the form, see the Form I-765 explained)
  • Form G-1145, in order to receive an e-notification of application receipt from USCIS
  • Photocopies of all I-20s previously issued; include I-20s from previous schools if applicable
  • A photocopy of your F-1 visa stamp (except for Canadian citizens)
  • A photocopy of both sides of your I-94 card, clearly indicating that you are in F-1 status for duration of status
  • A photocopy of your passport identification page, clearing indicating your passport name, nationality, date of birth, and the passport expiration date
  • Two passport-style photographs, with your name, date of birth, I-94 card number, and SEVIS ID number lightly printed on the back
  • Photocopies of any previously-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if applicable.

(4) Do one of the following (please note, group advisor meetings are for students applying for post-completion OPT only) :

  • No advisor meeting; submit online or in person to OGS:
    • If you have viewed the OPT workshop and do not want to meet with an OGS advisor to discuss your OPT application you may either:

      OR

      • bring your original completed OPT Recommendation Form and copies (not originals) of all the remaining application materials listed above to the OGS for Front-Desk OPT Service. Incomplete copy sets will not be accepted unless a suitable explanation is included.
  • OPT Q&A Session for post-completion OPT, group advisor meeting; one hour maximum time at OGS:
    • If you have viewed the post-completion OPT workshop and still have a few questions about OPT or your application, bring your completed OPT Recommendation Form (original) along with your passport, I-94 card and original I-20, as well as all remaining application materials listed above to an OPT Q&A Session.
    • Sessions are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:00 p.m. and every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 p.m. unless noted on the OGS home page for office closings. Come to the OGS promptly at that time as you will be turned away if late for the session. You will meet with an OGS advisor in a small group setting and will be finished in one hour or less.
  • One-on-one walk-in hour meeting with advisor; OGS wait times vary:
    • If you have viewed the OPT workshop and would still like to meet individually with an OGS advisor, bring your completed OPT Recommendation Form along with your passport, I-94 record and I-20, as well as all remaining application materials listed above to the OGS during walk-in advising hours. Normal walk-in wait times will apply. Failure to bring all documents may prevent processing of your OPT request.

(5) Wait up to 10 business days for your OPT recommended I-20 to be issued. The OGS will email you at your NYU email address when it is ready to be picked up.

(6) Once you have received an updated I-20 containing the OPT recommendation, you may then submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for optional practical training. You must mail your OPT application to USCIS within 30 days of I-20 issuance. Failure to do so could lead to a denial of your application. The complete packet should include:

  • A check or money order for $380 made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If paying by check, be sure that your name and address are pre-printed on it.
  • A completed Form I-765
  • Form G-1145
  • Photocopy of your new OPT recommended I-20
  • Photocopies of all I-20s previously issued; include I-20s from previous schools if applicable
  • A photocopy of your F-1 visa stamp (except for Canadian citizens)
  • I-94 record, clearly indicating that you are in F-1 status for duration of status
  • A photocopy of your passport identification page, clearing indicating your passport name, nationality, date of birth, and the passport expiration date
  • Two passport-style photographs
  • Photocopies of any previously-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD), if applicable.

(7) Once you have prepared all of the above materials, mail your application to USCIS. For those residing in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, the address for private courier service is:

USCIS
Attn: AOS
2501 S. State Hwy, 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

If you use an address in a different part of the U.S., please speak with an OGS advisor to find out the appropriate USCIS mailing address.

Pre-Completion OPT Workshop

Post-Completion OPT Workshop

OPT Checklist

Hand with pen

OPT Restrictions and Requirements

Important information you need to know while doing pre or post completion OPT
Read More

Eligibility Criteria

  • You must have been a full-time student at NYU for at least one academic year. Students whose programs last only one academic year are eligible for post-completion OPT only.
  • You must currently be in F-1 status.
  • You must be in good academic standing and making normal progress toward degree completion.
  • You must not have used more than 12 months of OPT in the past at your current degree level.
  • You do NOT need to have a job offer in order to apply for OPT, although once you are approved for OPT, the time is deducted from your 12 months regardless of whether you actually work.

Application Deadlines

Pre-Completion OPT

  • If you have been a full-time student in F-1 status for MORE than one academic year, you may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before your desired OPT beginning date.
  • If you have been a full-time student in F-1 status for LESS than one academic year, you may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before you have completed one academic year. However, your OPT cannot begin until you have completed the full academic year.

Post-Completion OPT

You must apply for post-completion OPT no later than four weeks after you complete your degree requirements to allow for adequate processing time. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not accept applications received 60 days or more beyond the completion date. You must be physically present in the U.S. to file for post-completion OPT. The OGS advises students not to travel outside the U.S. while the post-completion OPT application is pending if it is past the date of your program completion.

The timeframe to apply for post-completion OPT is set by the federal government and is not flexible. The earliest you may apply is 90 days prior to your completion date

Processing Times

Once your application is with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it routinely takes up to 90 days to process. Approval is NOT guaranteed, and you may not begin employment unless you have received written approval from the USCIS. Written approval will come in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Social Security Number

Need to apply for a Social Security Number?

Learn how to get one as an international student.
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Want to figure out your
OPT time?

Use our OGS Student OPT Calculator to determine how much time you have left or when you can do OPT.

Download here.

Need to report a change while on
post-completion OPT?

Update your address, employer, status information and more.

Click here.

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